TiVo... dead again. Or is it?
Since my last post was already too long, I decided to break my TiVo rant into it's own separate entry.
A few weeks before Christmas, my TiVo died again. I suspect it wasn't the hard drive this time, as not only does it not boot, it doesn't show anything on-screen at all when it is powered up. Ugh.
I was still mourning my TiVo, and pondering replacement options when I happened to be at my local Costco warehouse store where I spotted an interesting deal. DirecTV now sells their own TiVo-style DVR, and they're practically giving it away. $98 for the unit, with a $100 rebate (assuming I agree to keep it for a year).
Can't pass that up. I get 'er home, plugged in, and running in a snap. Fits right in where my dead DirecTiVo used to live. All's well, right? Not so fast, skippy. See, one of the joys of the TiVo experience is in it's ease of use. And it's ease of use has everything to do with it's great on-screen interface. Simple, easy to use menus, clear organization, and a remote control that makes sense in just a few minutes of use. The TiVo just has a great UI. The DirecTV DVR... not so much.
Now I'll be the first to admit that I'm biased to the TiVo interface, so this is why I've waited almost three weeks to post about the DirecTV DVR. I wanted to give this thing some time to grow on me, to get used to it. Still hasn't happened. From a confusing remote with too many weird buttons, to an on-screen menuing system that just does not make sense, this freebie makes me want to spend money on a new TiVo.
A few weeks before Christmas, my TiVo died again. I suspect it wasn't the hard drive this time, as not only does it not boot, it doesn't show anything on-screen at all when it is powered up. Ugh.
I was still mourning my TiVo, and pondering replacement options when I happened to be at my local Costco warehouse store where I spotted an interesting deal. DirecTV now sells their own TiVo-style DVR, and they're practically giving it away. $98 for the unit, with a $100 rebate (assuming I agree to keep it for a year).
Can't pass that up. I get 'er home, plugged in, and running in a snap. Fits right in where my dead DirecTiVo used to live. All's well, right? Not so fast, skippy. See, one of the joys of the TiVo experience is in it's ease of use. And it's ease of use has everything to do with it's great on-screen interface. Simple, easy to use menus, clear organization, and a remote control that makes sense in just a few minutes of use. The TiVo just has a great UI. The DirecTV DVR... not so much.
Now I'll be the first to admit that I'm biased to the TiVo interface, so this is why I've waited almost three weeks to post about the DirecTV DVR. I wanted to give this thing some time to grow on me, to get used to it. Still hasn't happened. From a confusing remote with too many weird buttons, to an on-screen menuing system that just does not make sense, this freebie makes me want to spend money on a new TiVo.
posted by steve at 11:31 PM
1 Comments:
...and technology is meant to make life EASIER??You present no evidence of this sir digital janitor.You are always getting your knickers in a twist over some gadgetry or other.I wouldn't know a TiVo if fell over it in the street,but thanks to this blog can keep up with all these things that i'll never use but can sound knowledgeable(spelling?) on subject.good stuff.
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